Territory



AUNITED STATEsJP-ATENTOFFICE wiLLIAM J. P'oNfro, or NEwnocKronD, DAKOTA franrnromj.`

CAR-oooPLlNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent- No. L113,549, dated October 22, 1889.

Application filed July 11, 1889. Serial No. 317,112. (No model.)

and I do Ahereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inven-` tion, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Figure l is an elevation of the end ofthe car, showing my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical central section of the draw-heads; Fig. 3, a horizontal section in detail of one of thedrawheads; Fig. 4, a detail in elevation showing the coupling-pin, and Fig. 5 a top View of one of the draw-heads.

This invention belongs to that class of devices known as car couplers, and the novelty consists inthe construction of the several parts and their combination together, all as will'now be more fully set forth and explained, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, A denotes any freight or similar car, and B the draweheads. Except as qualified by the present invention, these are of the usual description. In the mouth of the draw-head, and preferably near its roof, is the supporting-plate c, supported by and sliding in the slots b. This movement is obtained by'means of the bolt G, which slides in slot or opening b at'the side of the drawhead, and to which bolt the plate cis attached. When two cars approach each other, the bolts C in each meet and the one on the car to be coupled is moved back and carries with it the plate c. Thus the coupling-pin D, which has rested on said plate, is released and falls by its gravity into the draw-head and through the coupling-link E. The pin in this position holds the plate c back, and also prevents the bolt Cfrom moving outward under the influence of the spring F at its rear end; but when the pin is drawn up, as when the cars are unconpled, the spring F will force the bolt out, and thus the plate c is placed in its position underneath the coupling-pin and supporting the same. The coupling-pin D has a iin don each side that is laterally opposite extendin g from the head down about two-thirds the length of the pin. The pin-hole b2 in the draw-head is preferably made with side and laterally-opposite extensions b2 or enlarged to a proper shape for the n to fit snugly into it. The use and advantage of these fins are that they will rest upon the link and hold the same horizontal and in proper position to enter the draw-head of the approaching car that is to be coupled. To aid in this,the head of the pin may be made quite heavy, or the lower end of the rod G on the front of the car, which is connected to the pin and by which it is operated, may be made heavy, or a supplemental weight can be attached to the rod.

To prevent the displacement of the pin, as when it is being drawn up in coupling, there is placed on the front of the car a lip or projection-a at a suitable `height to measure the proper range of the movement of the pin to clear the link and the plate c. The rod G can be passed through this as well as through the guide-brackets a; but a mere projection from the face of the car will answer all the desired purposes.

ln using this device it is not necessary for the brakeman to touch the couplingdink or step between the cars. The link is held in the proper position to enter the approaching drawhead and the support of the pin in it is automatically removed, so that the pin will fall into the draw-head and through the link; nor does my device present any costly or cumbersome structure. The detail of the changes over the ordinary draw-head are few and not costly; nor is my device easily liable to get out of repair. It is strong and durable -in every part. The plate which supports the pin is operated by means outside the mouth. of the draw-head, so that this mouth is almost entirely free and unobstructed.

Having now `described my invention, what I claim isn 1. The drawHhea-d B, having slots b and b', the bolt C, and plate c, connected to it, and the spring F behind the bolt, whereby the pin is held up by means mostly outside the mouth of the draw-head.

2. The combination, with the draw-head having its upper pin-hole provided with lateral opposite extensions, of the sliding plate c, to uphold the pin, the pin having lateral IOC '1o loolt and the sliding plate @att-ached to the bolt, of the coupling-link and the pin D,hzw ing opposite lateral ins CZ, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM J. PONTO.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS A. SEBRING, P. J. BRAMUN. 

